WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling, right, and 10 p.m. co-anchor Micah Materre share a laugh after signing off as fellow co-anchor Ray Cortopassi looks on during Skilling’s final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Photos: After 46 years Tom Skilling delivers his final weather forecast on WGN-TV
Retiring WGN-TV meteorologist Tom Skilling delivered his final weather report Wednesday night, and the forecast was unseasonably warm and fuzzy.
Joined by colleagues past and present, Skilling’s poignant farewell broadcast took over the entire 10 p.m. news, with recollections and video highlights from his nearly half century at the station.
Growing up in west suburban Aurora, Skilling hit the local airwaves as a 14-year-old weathercaster on radio station WKKD, adding a local Aurora TV station to his resume while still in high school.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Skilling built a following in Milwaukee at WITI-TV, where he was paired with the station’s longtime weather sidekick, a wisecracking puppet named Albert the Alley Cat.
On Aug. 13, 1978, he joined WGN as a solo act, and became a Chicago broadcasting institution for nearly half a century.
As to the final forecast itself, Skilling called for mostly sunny skies and a high of 49 degrees, warming up to 73 by Sunday.
WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling delivers his final weather segment during the 10 p.m. newscast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling receives a hug from 10 p.m. co-anchor Micah Materre during his final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
WGN 10 p.m. co-anchor Micah Materre stands to applaud as chief meteorologist Tom Skilling finishes his last remarks during his final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. Skilling worked at the station for nearly 46 years. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling receives a hug following his final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling sits in a chair featuring his likeness while being honored by family, friends, and colleagues following his final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling is toasted while standing in front of a chair featuring his likeness as family, friends, and current and former colleagues celebrate his career following Skilling’s final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Family, friends, and colleagues watch as WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling gives his final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling is seen on a monitor in the studio during his final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling spends time with family, friends, and current and former colleagues in the newly renamed WGN Tom Skilling Weather Center before his final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling checks out his cake while celebrating with family, friends, and colleagues in the newly renamed WGN Tom Skilling Weather Center before his final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. Skilling worked at the station for nearly 46 years. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling stands beside his celebratory cake after his final broadcast during the 10 p.m. news on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling poses for photographs with family, friends, and current and former colleagues following his final broadcast on Feb. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
